The Dodo Archive

Australia Wasted $1 Million Killing Sharks Last Year

A whopping sum like $1 million (AUS) could do a lot to save the world's threatened and endangered sharks. That's why it's particularly outrageous that the state of Western Australia spent that amount last year in their irrational cull, which killed at least 40 sharks (and likely more).

The country's Premier Colin Barnett, a big supporter of the cull, announced the estimated cost this week.

"The costs are in line with what was anticipated," he told Australia's ABC News. "That's the actual, if you like, the catching of sharks part of it, that will probably come out a little over $1 million - in line with expectations." During the cull, which was intended to prevent fatal attacks on humans, 172 sharks were caught, but no great whites -- the species responsible for the most attacks.

Officials want to extend the cull for another three years, though conservationists are fighting the extension. You can sign a petition to stop the shark cull here, and submit a public comment to Western Australia's Environmental Protection Agency here.

The shark cull in Western Australia is unscientific, ineffective and inhumane. In one season, over 40 sharks were killed -- some of them juvenile or protected species. The government wants to extend the policy for three more years. Join us in opposing Western Australia's shark cull by signing this petition: